‘Do not invite your friends in as rules eased’

PLEA TO STICK TO OUTDOOR MEETINGS ONLY FROM MONDAY

PEOPLE are being urged not to invite friends into their homes when Covid-19 restrictions ease next week.

From Monday, six people or two households will be able to meet outdoors and in private gardens.

But Leicester director of public health, Professor Ivan Browne, said people should stick to the rules.

He said: “The gradual easing of restrictions on outdoor mixing will be a real boost for people’s mental health, as families and friends are allowed to meet up again in private gardens, but we do need to exercise caution.

“Having come so far and sacrificed so much, we don’t want to undo all the good work by breaking the rules and allowing coronavirus to surge again.

“Enjoy meeting your friends and families in the garden, remembering that people from different households will still need to socially distance from each other, but please don’t be tempted to invite people indoors.

“Coronavirus spreads easily in enclosed spaces so mixing indoors with people you don’t live with is still not permitted – unless they’re in your support bubble.

“Remember that even if you’ve been vaccinated, you must continue to follow the hands, face, space rules.

“The vaccine is safe and effective and it’s the best way we’ve got to beat the pandemic.

“If you haven’t had your vaccination yet, I would urge you to have it as soon as it’s offered.”

Outdoor activities such as tennis and golf can resume from Monday, along with formally organised outdoor sports such as amateur football.

The city council’s golf course at Humberstone Heights will reopen at 8am on Monday, with outdoor tennis courts, ball courts and 3G pitches also reopening.

From Monday, people are no longer required to stay at home, but they are advised to continue minimising travel.

They should also not be staying away from home overnight.

While it is still not possible to meet people from other households indoors, parent and child group meets can take place outdoors, with a limit of 15 attendees.

Children under five do not count towards the attendee limit.

To help keep coronavirus out of the city’s schools and colleges, those with nursery or school-aged children at home are encouraged to take a Covid-19 test twice a week.

Anyone can pop in to one of Leicester’s six rapid testing centres twice a week as long as they have no symptoms.

Free rapid tests are available seven days a week at the Adult Education College, Coleman Neighbourhood Centre, Eyres Monsell Community Centre, Fosse Neighbourhood Centre, Hamilton library and the Tudor Centre.

Latest figures for Leicester show an infection rate of 111.8 per 100,000, which compares with a national average of 55.3 per 100,000.